In the dispute over the use of the ex-prison "Fauler Pelz" the Ministry of Social Affairs has achieved a success. The regional council lifted the freeze on building repairs by the city of Heidelberg. Are all obstacles for the country now removed?
Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) - The Ministry of Social Affairs can continue the renovation of the Heidelberg ex-prison "Fauler Pelz" for the penal system. The Karlsruhe regional council has given the green light so that the craftsmen can resume work on the building complex with immediate effect, said Minister of Social Affairs Manne Lucha (Greens) of the German Press Agency on Thursday in Stuttgart. "We have reached an important milestone."
The Regional Council emphasizes the special public interest in its justification. Because of the scarce accommodation capacities across the country, there is a risk that further releases will have to be made without a building permit. A number of sick offenders had already had to be released prematurely due to a lack of therapy places.
The dispute is about the city of Heidelberg wanting to use the building complex for university purposes - instead of temporarily housing offenders in need of therapy.
The Regional Council of Karlsruhe recently approved the Ministry's objection to the building freeze ordered by the City of Heidelberg. Lucha explained that the construction freeze imposed by the city on May 13 of this year will be lifted.
80 places for addicted offenders are to be created in the "Fauler Pelz", which are to be distributed to other newly built or expanded facilities in 2025. The city of Heidelberg does not believe in temporary accommodation for the criminals. The investments of eleven million euros are too high for this.
The Heidelberg municipal council had decided to postpone the building application by a year. According to insiders, that would have killed the project. A lawsuit is currently pending at the Karlsruhe Administrative Court against the cancellation of the deferral, but this has no suspensive effect.
According to original plans, the first patients should move in in October/November of this year. Lucha expects "a little" delay.
